Regional News of Wednesday, 20 August 2003

Source: GNA

DCE launches HIV/AIDS awareness campaign

Amanfopong (C/R), Aug. 19, GNA - Government's aims at achieving stable micro-economic environment for sustainable development faces a great threat, following the fast spread of the deadly HIV/AIDS in all the 10 regions of the country.

All hands must be on the deck to check the spread of the pandemic in order to minimise its devastating impact on the socio-economic, political and cultural advancement of the nation.

Mr Sampson K. Anfako, District Chief Executive for Asikuma-Odoben-Brakwa, gave the warning when he formally launched the District's HIV/AIDS awareness campaign at Amanfopong, near Breman-Asikuma on Friday.

Mr Anfako advised Ghanaians to attach great importance to HIV/AIDS educational activities currently underway in their respective districts by eschewing promiscuity and other acts, which could result in contracting the disease.

He said government has pumped huge sums of money into the national crusade against the disease, adding, "the only thing we can make the HIV/AIDS educational campaign worthwhile is to adopt prevent measures to avoid its attack entirely."

Mr Anfako appealed to the National AIDS Commission to approve eight more NGOs and CDOs, who have already submitted their applications to the Commission to operate in the district to strengthen the capacity of voluntary organisations in the spread of the AIDS message in the area. He explained that the number of voluntary organisations organising AIDS awareness campaign in the district is inadequate to cater for towns and villages in the Asikuma-Odoben-Brakwa District Assembly. Other speakers at the function were Dr K. Afokoh, District Director of Health Services, Mr James K.A. Koampah, District Evaluation, Monitoring and Focal Person on AIDS and Nana Tutu Abban, Breman-Kokosohene, who chaired the function. 19 Aug. 03